Herbert's deputy chief of staff leaving for more family time

Ally Isom, Gov. Gary Herbert's deputy chief of staff and spokeswoman, announced Friday that she will be leaving the governor's office to focus on her family.

"While it has truly been an honor to serve in this administration with such a phenomenal group of colleagues and friends, it's simply time to spend more time with my family and be more available for those things that matter most," Isom said in an email to reporters.

Her last day will be Nov. 22.

Isom had previously served as government affairs director at the Department of Workforce Services and as deputy director at the Department of Community and Culture.

Isom, her husband, Eric, who is the government affairs director for Century­Link, and their children live in Kaysville, where she formerly served on the City Council.

Isom's is the third high-level departure from the governor's office since October. Lt. Gov. Greg Bell left and was replaced in September by former Rep. Spencer Cox. And Herbert's general counsel John Pearce has been nominated for an appellate court judgeship and is likely to be confirmed by the Senate next Wednesday.

Robert Gehrke